Alma Davis Anderson
Loving husband, father and grandfather
Dr. Alma Davis Anderson (88) passed away from this earthly life on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 due to causes incident to age. He was born on September 4, 1928 to Roy C. Anderson and Rosella Davis Anderson, in Thatcher, Utah. His parents were wonderful, humble people who taught him well in life and the Gospel. He was the youngest of 5 children (Bernice, Ken, Bill and Ludene). Alma was called to serve in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission from 1949 to 1951. His paternal grandparents were immigrants from Denmark, but he did not learn to speak Danish until he arrived in the mission field. His experiences were just the beginning of his deep and abiding testimony of the restored Gospel. He continued to read the Book of Mormon every year throughout his life. Following his mission Alma was drafted into the military during the Korean War. Like his father (WWI) and his 2 brothers (WWII) before him, he was proud to serve his country. Because of his fluency in both Danish and German he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School. He declined the invitation and was instead assigned to serve at the Stuttgart Army Base in Germany, as the first director of American Youth Activities in Germany.
After his military service and upon returning to the United States, he sought to finish his education at Brigham Young University. While attending BYU he met Carol Jean (Jeannie) Holmes, daughter of R. Cy and Thelma Holmes, on December 7, 1954. They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 2, 1955. A year later they moved to Portland, Oregon to attend the University of Oregon School of Dentistry. He graduated on June 9, 1960. He began his dental practice in Taylorsville, Utah, practicing in the community for 32 years. He enjoyed his chosen profession and truly loved all his patients and dental staff through all his years as a dentist.
Alma was always a valiant servant of the Lord and had a deep and abiding testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was always eager to share his love of the gospel with everyone. From 1992 to 1995, Alma and Jeannie were honored to serve as mission president of the Denmark Copenhagen Mission which also included Iceland, returning a second time to the land of his heritage. He was also able to serve in several bishoprics, bishop of a BYU ward, in the Jordan River Baptistry and finally as a sealer at the Jordan River Temple. He treasured these experiences.
Alma loved nothing more than traveling the world with his sweetheart, Jeannie, and spending time with his children. His favorite activities included horseback trips to Red Castle in the Uintas, hunting and fishing, deer camping, and a horseback ride anywhere. He enjoyed skiing with all of his children at Brighton where he was affectionately dubbed "Poly Bear". Later, he enjoyed showing his grandchildren how to plant potatoes and corn on his property in South Jordan.
Alma is preceded in death by his parents; father and mother in law; one sister; and 2 brothers. He is survived by his eternal companion, Jeannie; and eight children: Annette (Dave) Holdsworth, Alan (Kandle) Anderson, Susan (Bret) Kuhn, Ron (Cheryl Ann) Anderson, Janet (Brian) LaPray, Rich (Heather) Anderson, Alyce (Brad) Llewelyn, and Stewart (Cheryl) Anderson; 31 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Also survived by 1 sister (Ludene Williams); and sisters-in-law, Lola Ruth Anderson, Marion (Cal ) Todd and Pat (Jim) Jewell.
A viewing will be held Sunday, December 4, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Country Park 5th Ward on 1980 West 11400 South, South Jordan. Funeral services will also be held at the church at Noon on Monday, December 5, 2016 with a viewing 1 hour prior beginning at 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Herriman City Cemetery. Funeral services under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home.
As a family we wish to extend our deepest thanks to Dr. Steven Aslami, the hospice services of Canyon Home Care and Hospice, the many neighbors and friends who have been there to help our father, and especially to all of his children who tenderly offered love and care to a special man in his waning months.